Just got fired can I get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. If you were fired for 'misconduct' then you'd be disqualified, but performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful. You should definitely apply through the Washington ESD website as soon as possible since there's a waiting period.

File immediately! Don't wait. Even if there's a question about your eligibility, it's better to get the process started. The first week is always unpaid anyway (waiting week) so you want to get that out of the way.

I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired for 'not being a good fit' and was worried I wouldn't qualify. Turns out Washington ESD approved me because it wasn't misconduct. The key is how you answer the questions about why you were terminated. Be honest but don't make it sound like you did something wrong on purpose.

Just a heads up - your employer might contest your claim. When I got fired they tried to say it was misconduct even though it wasn't. I had to deal with Washington ESD for weeks trying to get through to explain my side. The phone system is absolutely terrible, I spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. If you need to talk to someone at ESD about your claim, I recently found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

ugh the whole system is so messed up. they make it impossible to get help when you need it most. good luck op, hope you dont have to deal with the nightmare i went through last year

Don't let horror stories scare you. Most claims go through fine. The important thing is to file your weekly claims every week even while you're waiting for approval, and start your job search right away since you'll need to show you're actively looking for work.

File online asap. I got fired for attendance issues (chronic illness) and still got approved after explaining the situation. Washington is pretty reasonable about these things compared to other states.

Also make sure you have all your pay stubs and employment info ready. The application asks for a lot of details about your work history. It's better to have everything organized before you start.

One thing to watch out for - if your employer contests your claim and says it was misconduct, your claim might go into adjudication which takes longer. I had this happen and it was a pain trying to reach someone at ESD to explain my side of the story.

The most important thing is to file immediately and then file your weekly claims every week. Even if you're not approved yet, you need to keep filing to maintain your claim. Missing a week can mess up your whole claim.

just want to say hang in there. getting fired sucks but unemployment will help bridge the gap while you find something new. dont let the process intimidate you

One more tip - when you're filling out the application, there's a section about why you're no longer working. Be factual but don't volunteer information that makes you look bad. Stick to what your employer told you and don't elaborate unless asked.

I got fired from my last job too and got unemployment no problem. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward once I got started. Don't overthink it.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements from day one. You need to be actively looking for work and keep records. Don't wait until later to start applying for jobs.

The Washington ESD website can be confusing at first but it's actually pretty user-friendly once you get used to it. Take your time filling out the application and double-check everything before submitting.

Just remembered - if you do end up needing to talk to ESD about your claim (like if your employer contests it), definitely consider using Claimyr. I wasted so many hours trying to get through on my own. Their service actually works and gets you connected to a real person.

Don't stress too much about this. Lots of people get unemployment after being fired. Just file the claim and see what happens. Worst case they deny you and you can appeal.

good luck with everything. being fired is tough but you'll get through it. the unemployment benefits will help while you look for something better

That's great! Remember to keep checking your online account regularly for any updates or requests for additional information. And don't forget to file your weekly claims even while you're waiting for the initial decision.

You got this! The hardest part is just getting started. Once you file the claim it's mostly just waiting and doing your weekly filings. Keep us posted on how it goes!